Nationals Farm Authority

OF Jorge Padilla promoted to Triple-A Columbus; OF Garrett Guzman joins Harrisburg from Columbus

The Clippers won a see-saw affair with the Red Wings, holding on for a 5-4 win (box/gamer). LHP Mike O’Connor made his first start since his return to Columbus, allowing three runs an seven hits with four strikeouts. RHP Chris Schroder allowed a run on one hit and struck out one to pick up the win and LHP Charlie Manning picked up his sixth save on the season with 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. 2B Pete Orr was 2/5 with a double, run scored and RBI. DH Alex Escobar extended his hitting streak to eleven games with a solo home run. LF Garrett Guzman was 2/3 with a pair of RBI.

Record: Columbus 24-19, 3rd place IL West (3GB)

Tonight: Columbus RHP Garrett Mock (2-1, 3.89) at Toledo LHP Dontrelle Willis (0-1, 6.10 ERA) at 7:05PM

The Friday game in Altoona was rained out. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader at 6:05PM tonight (two seven inning games).

Record: Harrisburg 25-14, 1st place EL South (2 games ahead)

Tonight: LHP Cory VanAllen (2-0, 0.71) & RHP Jordan Zimmermann (1-1, 2.92) at Altoona RH Josh Hill (3-3, 3.71) & LH Corey Hamman (0-5, 5.43) at 6:05PM

RHP Adrian Alaniz moved to 5-0 on the season as the P-Nats blasted the Salem Avalanche 11-5 (box/gamer). Alaniz allowed three runs on five hits and three walks over five innings of work while striking out seven. DH Matt Rogelstad homered in his third straight game as part of his 3/5 evening with two runs scored and four RBI. SS Seth Bynum was 1/4 with a bases-clearing double and two runs scored. 2B Michael Martinez was 2/5 with a pair of doubles and one RBI. 1B Chris Marrero was 2/5 with a double, RBI and one run scored.

Record: Potomac 25-15, 1st place Carolina League North (2 games ahead)

Tonight: RHP Jhonny Nunez (0-4, 5.30) at Salem LHP Polin Trinidad (3-1, 1.76) at 6:07PM

RHP Colton Willems made his first start in nearly two weeks and made his longest start of the season going seven innings in an 8-5 win over Kannapolis (box/gamer). Willems allowed five runs on four hits and one walk to move the Suns to 20-20 on the season. At this point, every full season minor league affiliate for the Nats is 0.500 or better. LHP Atahulpa Severino & RHP Martin Beno pitched the final two scoreless innings with Beno picking up his sixth save of the season. CF Boomer Whiting continued his hot hitting going 2/3 with a triple, RBI, stolen base (#6), and one run scored. Whiting is now batting 0.410 on the season for Hagerstown. SS Dan Lyons was 1/2 with two walks, one stolen base, one homer, and two RBI. RF Michael Burgess was 1/4 with his 10th homer on the season. LF Aaron Seuss was 4/4 with a pair of doubles and one run scored. And, CA Travis Reagan was 1/4 with a home run and two RBI.

Record: Hagerstwon 20-20, 4th place in Sally North (6GB)

Tonight: Hagerstown hosts Kannapolis at 6:05PM

Jim Callis of Baseball America takes his first stab at a mock draft …

1. Rays - SS Tim Beckham out of HS in GA
2. Pirates - 3B Pedro Alvarez from Vanderbilt
3. Royals - CA Buster Posey from Florida State
4. Orioles - LHSP Brian Matusz from San Diego
5. Giants - 1B Justin Smoak from South Carolina
6. Marlins - CA Kyle Skipworth out of HS in CA
7. Reds - RHSP Aaron Crow from Missouri
8. White Sox - SS Gordon Beckham from Georgia
9. Nationals - 1B Yonder Alonso from Miami

here’s what he has to say about the Nats

Washington GM Jim Bowden loves to draft upside, and California high school outfielder/righthander Aaron Hicks could be mighty tempting. Advanced pitching is a greater concern, and the Nationals could have their choice of the second tier. Scheppers might have been the frontrunner before he got hurt, so that could leave Tulane righthander Shooter Hunt and Eastern Kentucky lefty Christian Friedrich if the Nats go pitching. In the end, Alonso’s bat may be too good to pass up.

The only other name on the board at this point worthy of consideration beyond Alonso, Scheppers, Hunt and Friedrich is HS 1B Eric Hosmer.

Baseball America is running an online contest to crown some of the better minor league logos. This time around, they are looking for the best local tie-in.

Vote Lake Monsters.

As has been already mentioned in the comments, the Nationals announced the signings of three international free agents. The three from the Dominican Republic (age in parentheses) were Elvin Cuello (16), Joseph Cabreja (18) and Alex Romero (18). They were mentioned as three of eight International free agents this year, seven from the Dominican Republic and one from Venezuela. Those signings include three catchers, three infielders, one outfielder and one pitcher. I have made inquiries as to the names of the other five. There was an additional reference to twelve players from the 2007 Dominican Summer League playing in the US in 2008, I know that seven of them are LHP Atahaulpa Severino (Hagerstown), MIFs Dani Arias, Luis Castillo, & Francisco Soriano (all in extended spring), and RHPs Marcos Frias, Juan Jaime, & Jose Pinales (all in extended spring). The other five are still to be determined but possibilities include

• OFs Hendry Jimenez, Alejandro Hodge, Eury Perez, & Juan Beltre
• CA Danny Taveras
• 1B Eduardo Urbina
• 3B Yeurys Tejeda
• LHPs Randy Almonte & Francisco Vizcaino
• RHPs Federico Tanco & Jorge Urena

RHP Steve Shell outdueled Twins prospect Francisco Liriano as the Clippers edged the Red Wings 3-1 (box/gamer). Shell, making a spot start filling in for the recently promoted Jason Bergmann, went seven strong innings allowing only one run on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts. It was Shell’s third start of the season for Columbus where he has been 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 11 strikeouts over 17IP. RHP Chris Booker picked up his fourth save of the season with two scoreless innings of relief surrendering one hit and two walks while striking out a pair. DH Alex Escobar was 2/4 with a double and a run scored. With his two hits, Escobar extended his hitting streak to ten games over which he is hitting 0.361. 3B Yurendell de Caster, 1B Jason Dubois, and CA Javi Herrera were all 1/4 with one RBI.

Record: Columbus 23-19, 3rd place IL West (4GB)

Tonight: LHP Mike O’Connor (2-0, 1.96 ERA) at Rochester RHP Phillip Humber (1-4, 5.49) 7:05PM

In Harrisburg, RHP Marco Estrada outpitched top Phillies prospect Carlos Carrasco in a 10-1 defeat of Reading (box/gamer). Estrada struck out eight over six shutout innings of work allowing only two hits and one walk. Over his last four starts, Estrada is 3-0 with a 0.83 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with 23 strikeouts over 21 2/3 IP. The Senators broke the game open in the bottom of the eight, scoring six times. Every Harrisburg starter (excluding the pitcher) had at least one hit. Andrew Lefave split time between LF and 1B, going 2/3 with a double, two runs scored, and three RBI. RF Jorge Padilla, 3B Ofilio Castro, and CF Roger Bernadina all collected two hits apiece in the winning effort. 1B Dmitri Young was 1/3 in his final rehab appearance. He’ll be activated tonight to DH for the Nationals in Baltimore.

Record: Harrisburg 25-14, 1st place EL South (2.5 games ahead)

Tonight: LHP Cory VanAllen (2-0, 0.71) at Altoona LHP Kyle Bloom 6:05PM

CA Brian Peacock hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to bring the P-Nats within a run and DH Matt Rogelstad followed two batters later with a two-run homer as Potomac beat Myrtle Beach 4-3 (gamer/box). It was Rogelstad’s only hit on the evening but it was enough to lead the P-Nats to a series split with the Pelicans. Peacock was 2/3 with the solo home run and a double. 2B Michael Martinez was 2/4 with a double and a run scored. While he did not get the win, RHP Craig Stammen made another solid start for Potomac, allowing three runs on two hits and three walks over five innings while striking out five. Stammen has been equally solid as both a starter and reliever. Over three starts, he’s 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over 16IP with 12 strikeouts. As a reliever, he’s made six appearances with an identical 2.25 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over an identical 16IP with 14 strikeouts. LHP Jack Spradlin picked up the win in relief, tossing two shutout innings allowing two hits and striking out three. RHP Josh Wilkie struck out three in his one inning of work and LHP Yunior Novoa picked up his third save of the season closing it out with a pair of strikeouts in his one inning of work.

Record: Potomac 24-15, 1st place Carolina League North (2 games ahead)

Tonight: RHP Adrian Alaniz (4-0, 2.19) at Salem LHP David Qualben 7:07PM

PH Tim Pahuta hit a two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to rally the Suns to a 7-6 win over Lexington on the road (box/gamer). Over his last twn games, Pahuta is hitting 0.400 and slugging 0.900 with four home runs and seven RBI. LF Boomer Whiting was 4/5 with a double, RBI, two runs, and his fifth stolen base of the season. In nine games since joining Hagerstwon, Whiting is hitting 389/476/556 with eight RBI, twelve runs scored and 5/7 stolen bases. 1B Bill Rhinehart was 1/4 with a double and his league-leading 40th RBI. 3B Stephen King continued his strong return, going 2/5 with a double and a run scored. King is hitting 0.296 and slugging 0.630 since his return from a hamstring injury. RF Michael Burgess was 1/5 with an RBI and CA Sean Rooney and SS Dan Lyons each had a pair of hits. RHP Cole Kimball was wild in his start, walking six in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed only two hits and two runs while striking out five. RHP Erik Arnesen picked up his third win on the season with a perfect inning of relief and RHP Martin Beno picked up his fifth save with a scoreless ninth.

Record: Hagerstown 19-20, 4th place Sally League North (6GB)

Tonight: RHP Colton Willems (2-3, 4.40) home versus Kannapolis at 6:35PM (Note: Thanks to Ryan Mock from Hagerstown who provided me with the updated information, Willems’ last start was postponed by rain so he threw a side session with Nats Pitching Coordinator Spin Williams in lieu of his regular turn in the rotation; no injury concerns).

• Future Focus - Catchers
• Future Focus - First Basemen
• Future Focus - Second Baseman
• Future Focus - Third Baseman

As a reminder, the Nats picks are as follows:

• 1st round: #9
• 2nd round: #55
• 3rd round: #87
• 4th round & out: #121 +30 (i.e. 151, 181, etc)

The first nine picks are

1. Tampa Bay
2. Pittsburgh
3. Kansas City
4. Baltimore
5. San Francisco
6. Florida
7. Cincinnati
8. Chicago White Sox
9. Washington

The number of total picks in each round is as follows:

• 1st round: 1-30
• Supplemental 1st: 31-46
• 2nd round: 47-78 (two extra picks due to unsigned 2007 2nd rounders)
• 3rd round: 79-108
• Supplemental 3rd: 109-112
• 4th round: 113-142
• 5th round and on: +30 to each end

Shortstop. It’s the position where you typically find some of the best players in the draft. It’s also a position where the Nationals have an organizational need. The 2008 draft has a nice mixture of established college bats and promising high schoolers. With an assist from MiLB.com, Pefect Game Crosschecker (PGCC), and Baseball America, here are the top 12 shortstops:

1. Tim Beckham - Entering the 2008 season, this Beckham was considered an odds on favorite to go #1 overall in the draft. The 18-year old right-handed hitter has drawn comparisons to two other HS SS, the Upton brothers (BJ and Justin). PGCC describes him as the best true shortstop in the draft. He’s a five-tool player who projects to remain a shortstop moving forward. I find it difficult to believe he’d be there at #9 but if he is, Beckham is a no-brainer for the Nationals. His commitment to USC (CA) is not considered an impediment to getting him signed.
2. Gordon Beckham - The 21-year old switch hitter has been coming on strong all season. His performance for the University of Georgia thus far has been amazing. Over 52 games played, he is hitting an astounding 401/508/817 with 22 home runs, 55 RBI, and 16/17 stolen bases in a tough SEC. Scouts were impressed by his performance in the Cape Cod League last season (a wood bat league) where he hit 284/370/529 with 9 home runs over 42 games (155AB). PGCC scouting report entering the season … “Beckham has the knack for the acrobatic play on defense and the big home run on offense, but needs to become steadier on both sides of the ball.” Another guy who seems unlikely to slide until the 9th selection but as with Tim (no relation), he’d be a great pick for the Nationals. In my opinion, if both were available at #9, I’d lean towards Gordon who has demonstrated his abilities against higher levels of competition.
3. Casey Kelly -The 18-year old Kelly is one of the better athletes in the upcoming draft. Scouts rave about him as a SS, a RHP and crossing sports, QB. He’s committed to University of Tennessee. He’s all about projectability at this point given how raw he is developmentally. The son of former major leaguer Pat Kelly, Casey is a likely pick in the 20-30 range of the first round. I’d imagine if he slips farther than that, signability becomes a question.
4. Brett Lawrie - The 18-year old Lawrie is likely to be the first Canadian player drafted this year. Scouts are impreseed with his above average raw power. Right now he’s playing shortstop but there have been reports that scouts see him moving to catcher as a professional. Signs now suggest he’s a late first round selection. Odds are he will not be around much past the supplemental first round. If he’s still on hte board at #55, he’d be worth a gamble (depending upon how they go with #9)
5. Tyler Ladendorf -The 20-year old Ladendorf might be the top junior college player in the upcoming draft. He is hitting 0.542 with 16 home runs and 31/32 stolen bases for Howard College (TX). He’s been drafted in the 34th round in each of the last two drafts and it’s a lock he’ll go significantly earlier than that in 2008. He had a severe shoulder injury a few years back but has bounced back well enough that he’ll come off the board in the late 1st/early supplemental first round. Like Lawrie, he’d be a great value at #55.
6. Reese Havens - The 21-year old lefthander is currently hitting 363/489/637 with 15 home runs and 48 RBI for the Gamecocks. He is often overshadowed by teammate Justin Smoak who is a likely top 10 pick. But Havens bat makes him worthy of consideration in the late first round of the draft. PGCC scouting … “Though he made all the routine plays and committed just six errors in 41 games at shortstop last summer in the Cape Cod League, questions persist whether Havens has the speed and range to remain at shortstop in the long term. But his new-found power and hitting prowess makes a potential move to third base more palatable.” It’s another instance of a player likely being off the board before the Nats pick at #55. But I’ll echo it again, a great value if on the board at #55. 
7. Anthony Hewitt - Hewitt plays for Salisbury School in Connecticut. PGCC reports “Though he has faced substandard pitching, Hewitt has the most explosive bat in the Northeast, college or high school, and his other tools are first-round quality.” The latest conjecture has him as a supplemental first rounder. The 19-year old is committed to Vanderbilt.
8. Destin Hood -The 18-year old Hood is another two sport star. He has a football scholarship waiting for him at the University of Alabama. Hood is very raw, while he currently plays SS, a move to the OF is likely in the future. His football commitment seems likely to lead to a slide to the second round. While he’d be an intriguing option for the Nationals at #55, the Nats might not take another prep guy who is a likely outfielder. At #55, there will still be value on the board that makes this a difficult gamble. If he slides even further due to his football commitment/signing demands, this is the type of guy the Nats could draft late a la Jack McGeary and try and steal a guy in the later rounds.
9. Brandon Crawford - The 20-year old Crawford has had a down year at UCLA, hitting 280/374/433 over 49 games with 52 strikeouts in 189AB. Entering the season, PGCC scouting read … “Crawford is a potential five-tool talent with excellent defensive skills and some power in his bat, along with a polished approach to the game. He struggled hitting with wood in the Cape last summer, which worries scouts.” He appears likely to be on the board at #55 and might be an option for them there.
10. Ryan Flaherty - Another player who has faded into the background due to a high profile teammate, the 21-year old Flaherty is hitting 321/412/547 playing in the shadow of Pedro Alvarez. PGCC scouting … “his future may be as a utility player as his range is a little short for shortstop and arm just playable from the hole. Flaherty has a sound approach at the plate. He can work counts efficiently but lacks the bat speed to hit for power—especially with wood.” He’s likely available at #55 but that might be a bit early. Could be worth a shot at #87.
11. Harold Martinez -The 18-year old Martinez has probably slid the most of all the players in 2008. Entering the season, scouts viewed him as a mid first rounder, Martinez has slid into the late second round according to some reports. His performance thus far in 2008 have not lived up to scout’s lofty expectations and that subsequent slide may make him more likely to honor his commitment to the University of Miami (FL) and re-enter the draft in three years. He’s another guy like Hood who would be worthy of a fifth or sixth round gamble with hopes of buying him out of his college commitment.
12. Niko Vazquez -The 19-year old Vazquez is another project. Scouts believe he has the potential to develop into a 20 HR middle infielder. But those same scouts worry he won’t have the quickness to stick at SS. He’s a top 100 guy but might not be worth the pick at #87.

RHP Tyler Clippard allowed seven runs in just four innings of work as the Clippers dropped a 10-7 decision to the Rochester Red Wings (box). Clippard allowed seven hits and a pair of walks. Columbus managed twelve hits on offense, led by newly acquired CA David Wallace who was 3/3 with two doubles, two RBI and his first home run for Columbus and LF Jason Dubois who was 2/4 with two doubles. Notes: RHP Chris Schroder was optioned back to Columbus as the Nationals recalled RHP Jason Bergmann from Columbus.

Record: Columbus 22-19, 3rd place IL West (4GB)

Tonight: RHP Steven Shell (1-1, 3.10) takes on Rochester LHP Francisco Liriano (0-1, 4.66) at 7:05PM

RHP Shairon Martis combined with two Senators relievers scattered seven hits as Harrisburg blanked Reading 3-0 (box/gamer). Martis threw five scoreless innings, allowing only five hits and two walks with two strikeouts. He moved to 3-1 on the season and dropped his ERA below 3.00. RHPs Josh Perrault & Steve Schmoll shut the door on the Phillies over the final four innings. Perrault allowed a pair of hits in his two innings of work, striking out two. And Schmoll picked up his second save of the season with two hitless innings of relief, striking out the final two hitters. RF Justin Maxwell was 2/4 with a triple, run scored and his twelfth stolen base of the season. Over his last seven games, Maxwell is batting 0.355 and slugging 0.742 with three homers and three stolen bases. CF Roger Bernadina was 2/4 with a triple and a run scored. A rehabbing 1B Dmitri Young was 1/3 with a double and a walk (The Patriot News has a feature on Young’s perspective on the Harrisburg roster).

Record: Harrisburg 24-14, 1st place in EL South (2.5 games ahead)

Today: RHP Marco Estrada (3-2, 2.78) looks to take the rubber match against Reading and RHP Carlos Carrasco (3-3, 3.77) at 12:05PM

LHP Ross Detwiler allowed three runs on five hits and three walks over five innings as the P-Nats rode the long ball to a 5-4 win over Myrtle Beach (box/gamer). Detwiler moved to 3-2 on the season striking out six. The P-Nats bullpen was solid allowing only one unearned run over the final four innings. RHP Clint Everts suurendered the only unearned run on two hits in his two innings of work. LHP Yunior Novoa and RHP Adam Carr finished it off, each with a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts. 2B Michael Martinez (2/4) led off the game for Potomac with a solo home run. It was the first of three solo homers for the P-Nats. DH Matt Rogelstad (1/4) and SS Seth Bynum (2/4) each added one of their own in the winning effort. CF Frank Diaz continued his hot streak going 2/4 with a double, a run and one RBI. Over his last 1o games, Diaz is batting 0.316.

Record: Potomac 23-15, 1st place Carolina North (two games ahead)

Tonight: RHP Craig Stammen (0-1, 1.67) looks for the series split against Myrtle Beach and RHP Gonzalo Lopez (2-2, 5.35) at 7:05PM

Hagerstown rode two two-run home runs from their middle infielders to a 4-3 win over Lexington on Wednesday afternoon (box/gamer). SS Dan Lyons (1/4)and 2B Jake Smolinski (2/4) each hit their third home run of the season to account for all of the Suns offense. RF Michael Burgess and CA Sean Rooney each went 2/4 in the winning effort. RHP Jeff Mandel threw six strong innings, allowing only one run on six hits and two walks while striking out four. After getting blistered in his last start, Mandel settled down to move to 3-2 on the season.

Record: Hagerstown 18-20, 5th place in Sally North (6.5GB)

Tonight:RHP Cole Kimball (1-1, 5.04) takes the mound looking to take the series from Lexington at 7:05PM

I’m back …

The Clippers rode a five-run first inning while RHP Collin Balester scattered ten hits over six innings of work in a 7-5 Columbus victory over Rochester (box). CF Ryan Langerhans and CA Javi Herrera each had a hit and two RBI in the five run first. RF Tommy Murphy, 2B Pete Orr, and 1B Larry Broadway each had a pair of hits for the Clippers. Balester moved to 4-2 on the season allowing four runs on ten hits and no walks while striking out four. Though he gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth, LHP Charlie Manning picked up his fifth save, striking out three in his one inning of work. Notes: While I was gone, the Clippers made the following transactions:

• OF Elijah Dukes activated from rehab assignment
• CA Jesus Flores promoted to Washington (CAs Paul Lo Duca & Johnny Estrada to DL)
• CA David Wallace was acquired from the Indians organization
• RHP Chris Schroder promoted to Washington
• LHP Mike O’Connor sent down from Washington
• RHP Jason Bergmann promoted to Washington (no word on corresponding move, though Mark Zuckerman suggests it might be RHP Joel Hanrahan or LHP Matt Chico)

Record: Columbus 22-18, 3rd place IL West (4GB)

Today: RHP Tyler Clippard (2-3, 4.34) takes on Rochester LHP Brian Duensing (2-4, 3.40) at 11:05AM

RHP Zech Zinicola allowed a run in the top of the ninth as the Harrisburg Senators fell 3-2 to the Reading Phillies (box/gamer). RHP Tristan Crawford had a strong start allowing only two runs on six hits and a pair of walks over six innnings of work with six strikeouts. RHPs Levale Speigner and Steve Schmoll chipped in with two scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit and two walks. Zinicola’s inning of relief saw one run on two hits with two strikeouts. LF Justin Maxwell provided the offense, going 2/5 with a third inning two-run home run. A rehabbing Dmitri Young was 1/2 with a pair of walks. And, SS Ian Desmond was 1/3 with a double. Notes: Here are the transactions made by the Senators while I was gone:

• 1B Dmitri Young was added on a rehab assignment
• CA Luke Montz was placed on the DL and then activated from the DL (concussion); CA Patrick Nichols occupied Montz’ spot while he was out
• RHP Levale Speigner was activated from the DL
• RHP Josh Hall was released

Record: Harrisburg 23-14, 1st place EL North (2.5 games ahead)

Tonight: RHP Shairon Martis (2-1, 3.38) takes on Reading RHP Kip Bouknight (3-3, 3.83) at 6:05PM

The P-Nats were swept in a doubleheader yesterday, falling 6-1 in the opener (box) and 1-0 in the nightcap (box/gamer). In game one, the P-Nats were held hitless until DH Francisco Plasencia singled in the bottom of the seventh. Potomac continued their ability of scoring a run without a hit in the second. Frank Diaz walked, stole second, went to third on a groundout and scored a Myrtle Beach error. RHP Jhonny Nuñez pitched five strong shutout innings allowing only four hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out four. RHPs Carlos Martinez and Adam Carr allowed six runs in their one combined inning of work. Martinez allowed a hit, walk and hit a batter while Carr allowed three hits and a walk. In the second game, RHP Terrence Engles pitched six strong innings, allowing only one run on three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts but the P-Nats could not score any runs for him. 1B Chris Marrero was 2/4 while SS Michael Martinez and DH Marvin Lowrance each had a double for the P-Nats. Notes: The P-Nats made the following moves while I was gone:

• RHP Chris Lugo was added to the roster from extended spring
• IF Jemel Spearman was removed from the roster

Record: Potomac 22-15, 1st place Carolina North (two games ahead)

Tonight:LHP Ross Detwiler (2-2, 4.45) looks to get Potomac back on track against Myrtle Beach HP Ryne Ryenoso (3-1, 3.44) at 7:05PM

DH Tim Pahuta hit a first inning two-run home run kicking off a 6-5 Hagerstown win over Lexington (box/gamer). Pahuta was 3/5 with the homer, double and three runs scored. 3B Stephen King was 2/5 with a double and run scored. It was his fifth straight game with a hit since his return. 2B Jake Smolinski was 2/4 with a run scored and RBI. CF/LF Aaron Seuss was 2/3 with two RBI. RHP Brad Meyers made the start, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk over five innings, with four strikeouts. Notes: Hagerstown made the following moves while I was gone:

• IF Stephen King was added from extended spring
• IF Steve Souza was sent to extended spring
• RHP Jamie Lehman was activated from the DL
• RHP Hassan Pena (on DL) was sent to extended spring
• RHP Edulin Abreu was placed on the restricted list

Record: Hagerstown 17-20, 5th place South Atlantic North

Today: Hagerstown and Lexington play at 10:05AM (pitchers TBD)

Baseball America has their weekly transaction post up.

Signed: RHP Dan Leatherman

Released: RHP Noel De Leon, C Agustin German, 3B Tony Batista, 3B Clint Pridmore

Leatherman only has a couple of years of minor league experience in the Minnesota Twins organization. He’s a local guy from Frederick, MD. Here is a Frederick News article on how he got signed by the Twins.

Leatherman got the attention of scouts following his freshman year at FCC. He did not throw hard, topping out at 88-89 mph. But Bennett said scouts became enamored with his ability to pitch.

“The key for Dan is he has three really good pitches,” Bennett said. “He just commands them so well. If you hit your spots, you can be successful

On to the released guys

• de Leon was 2-2 in ten appearances for the GCL Nationals in 2007
• German was in extended spring training trying to convert to pitching. He had spent his Nationals career as a catcher, maxing out with two games in Potomac in 2006
• Batista had already been noted
• Pridmore was a 2007 44th rounder out of Santa Rosa JuCo (CA). In 32 games for the GCL Nats, he hit 156/283/208.

• Future Focus - Catchers
• Future Focus - First Basemen
• Future Focus - Second Baseman

As a reminder, the Nats picks are as follows:

• 1st round: #9
• 2nd round: #55
• 3rd round: #87
• 4th round & out: #121 +30 (i.e. 151, 181, etc)

The first nine picks are

1. Tampa Bay
2. Pittsburgh
3. Kansas City
4. Baltimore
5. San Francisco
6. Florida
7. Cincinnati
8. Chicago White Sox
9. Washington

The number of total picks in each round is as follows:

• 1st round: 1-30
• Supplemental 1st: 31-46
• 2nd round: 47-78 (two extra picks due to unsigned 2007 2nd rounders)
• 3rd round: 79-108
• Supplemental 3rd: 109-112
• 4th round: 113-142
• 5th round and on: +30 to each end

It’s true that the Nationals are not in need of a thridbaseman at the major league level. With Ryan Zimmerman manning the hot corner, the Nats are in the enviable position of having a position covered more than competently for the next three plus seasons at a minimum. However, there is always room for more depth in the farm system and there are a handful of college third baseman that would be attractive to the Nats if they are available. One as a potential first rounder and three or four others who could be good value selections with their second rounder. I’m again going to lean on MiLB.com along with PGCrosschecker, and Baseball America for some background on the potential 2008 draft picks.

1. Pedro Alvarez - Entering the 2008, season, the 21-year old Alvarez was the consensus top prospect in the draft. A broken hamate bone short-circuited the start of his season at Vanderbilt but the talent remains. In the 25 games since he returned, he is hitting 311/416/538 with 18 homers and 57RBI. He has the talent to remain at 3B moving forward but some scouts believe he may slide over to 1B or to a corner outfield spot. His bat plays well at any of those positions. There have been rumblings that the Alvarez might slide some in the draft and if by some miracle he were to be there at #9, I’d hope the Nationals would grab him. But the odds he lasts past the top 3 or 4 picks seems remote at best.
2. Ethan Martin -Better known as a right-handed pitching prospect, the 18-year old Martin was initially considered a two-way player. Per MiLB.com, he can throw “three above-average pitches for strikes” As a third baseman, he is a raw prospect who projects well. Martin is committed to Clemson, but is likely to sign if drafted in the first round. He is an overdraft at #9 and won’t make it out of the first round. I’d imagine he goes in the 15-20 range.
3. Lonnie Chisenhall - The 19-year old Chisenhall was considered a top talent in 2006 out of high school. PGCC had the following scouting report on him back then “++ LH bat with a ++ approach to hitting; ++ in BP early in year and gradually took power/hitting ability into games; uses the whole field . . . some scouts believe he is one of the best bats in the country—ranking ahead of even Chris Marrero and Travis Snider . . . getting just a bat only for some; he’s heavy legged, doesn’t run that well and is not overly athletic . . . a SS in HS, he’ll be a 3B at next level . . . on mound, FB is 88-91/92 with + movement, CU at 74-75 . . . a gamer and hard-nosed kid.” Drafted by the Pirates in the 12th round (due to signability concerns), Chisenhall ran into legal problems in college that led to his (and Nick Fuller, another top prospect) from the South Carolina team. They were arrested on grand larceny and burglary charges in connection with the theft of some computers. The lefthanded Chisenhall is playing for Pitt (NC) Community College where he is currently hitting 401/511/769 mainly playing 3B (he also pitches). There are makeup questions, for certain, but the talent is there. I’d imagine he’ll go some time in the supplemental first round but would be worth strong consideration at #55 on talent alone.
4. James Darnell - PGCC has the following scouting report, “Darnell is a complete package, but power is understandably his best tool. He attacks balls when he gets a pitch he can drive, and his balls leave the park quickly. Darnell also has above-average arm strength and adapted well to playing third base in 2007, both in college and summer ball, after spending the previous year in the outfield.” Darnell is currently hitting 309/373/583 with 15 homers and 65 RBI over 48 games for the Gamecocks. He might not be able to remain at 3B going forward and might ahve to move to a corner outfield spot. This is getting repetitive but he is without question a value pick at #55.
5. Conor Gillaspie - The 20-year old Gillaspie is currently batting 398/488/661 for the Wichita State Shockers. While he throws right-handed, Gillaspie has added value as a lefthanded hitter. PGCC scouting report …”He consistently hit the ball hard to all fields and showed much more power with wood than he did during the spring (.325-6-53). Gillaspie is a steady defender at third base but only an average athlete.” In there most recent draft rankings, Baseball America has Gillaspie ranked #23 overall. He appears to be a guy who could go anywhere from the mid-first round to mid-second round. My gut says he comes off the board in the supplemental first round. Likely a MLB team who traditionally focuses on college players. If available at #55, a value pick.
6. Zach Cox -Another two-way high schooler the 18-year old Cox has committed to the University of Arkansas. PG scouting report reads “Strong, mature frame. Top 2-way prospect. Heavy FB to 93, hard sweeping SL, fast arm, high energy delivery. Power hitting 3B, short swing, has bat speed/juice in bat, squares up very well. Quick actioned athlete, can play D at high level. Could excel either way” I’d imagine he’ll be around at #55 and is likely ranked right around that level overall.
7. Logan Fosythe - The 21-year old righthander is currently hitting 311/431/483 for the Razorbacks. PGCC scouting report … “Forsythe may be the most well-rounded player in college baseball, based on what he brings to the field in hitting, power, plate discipline, defense, base running and leadership.” He looks like a late second round option. #55 is likely too early but he’d be an intriguing option at #87 in the 3rd round.
8. Jermaine Curtis - The 20-year old Curtis is hitting 316/442/456 for UCLA. PGCC scouting report … “Curtis won’t blow you away with his raw tools, but he plays hard, has excellent makeup and finds a way to get the most out of his ability. He has a good line-drive swing … He should add power as he continues to get stronger. He’s an above-average defender at third base with good hands and excels at coming in on balls, though his arm strength—his weakest tool—is considered just marginal.” It appears a move to 2B might be in his future. He looks like a 3rd rounder. At #121 he might be available.
9. Ricky Oropesa -One more high schooler. One more two-way player. Though with the 18-year old Oropesa, his future appears to be on offense. Scouts rank him as one of the top high school pwer bats in the draft. His father was a member of the Cuban national track & field, baseball and basket ball teams in 1948. He’s committed to USC (SoCal) and there could be concerns about his signability. His talent makes him a second round option but the concerns about signability might lead to a slide into the 4th round or later. This is a potential 5th or 6th round gamble if a team believes they can encourage him to forego college with a large bonus.
10. Alex Buchholz - Blue Hen pride! I’m including him just because he plays for my alma mater (Universtiy of Delaware). He is currently hitting 331/407/523 in 38 games for the Hens. PGCC scouting … “He shows power to all fields and has a very strong throwing arm that has landed him at third base this season after spending his first two years at Delaware at second.” He is likely a fifth round selection or later.